Movie Description
Wim Wenders's THE MILLION DOLLAR HOTEL is a well-filmed movie set in a majestic, dilapidated hotel on the outskirts of Hollywood. The opener shows Tom Tom (Jeremy Davies), the eccentric, slightly retarded, skateboard-riding narrator, wandering in slow motion at daybreak on the roof of the hotel, as a hypnotic U2 song completes the moment. The film consists of many of these near-perfect fantasy capsules, strung together by a vague plot--that Agent Skinner (Mel Gibson), a clownish detective, is investigating the supposed murder of an artist named Izzy who was living at the hotel, and who is the son of a millionaire. What Skinner learns immediately is that most of the hotel's residents are, like Tom Tom, mentally disabled and basically harmless. Geronimo (Jimmy Smits) is one of the few hotel occupants who seems capable of committing such a crime, but even he is more entertaining than threatening. Through Skinner's observation of his subjects, viewers witness some delectably sweet events, such as the magical scene in which Tom Tom meets his true love, Eloise (Milla Jovovich), in the stairwell of the hotel. Both the actors and the sets of THE MILLION DOLLAR HOTEL facilitate stunning photography that looks as if it were ripped from the pages of Vogue. The script, based on an idea by Bono, and the score by U2, complete this fashionable picture.
| Credits | | Producer: | Bono, Bruce Davey, Wim Wenders | | Cast: | Bud Cort, Gloria Stuart, Jimmy Smits, Milla Jovovich |
Notes
Theatrical release: February 2, 2001.
The artwork for the film was supplied by Julian Schnabel and Alejandro Carpendia.
The paintings in the film are made out of tar, which is an anagram for "art."
The neon sign above the hotel advertises "Fire proof rooms" and "Popular prices."
THE MILLION DOLLAR HOTEL won the Silver Bear Award at the Berlin Film Festival in 2000.
The soundtrack includes songs by Milla Jovovich, Daniel Lanois, John Hassell, Bill Frisell, Brian Eno, U2, and Tito Larriva and the MDH Band. The closing song, "The Ground Beneath Her Feet," was cowritten by Bono and novelist Salman Rushdie.
Bono makes a cameo appearance in one of the hotel scenes.
Editorial Reviews
"...Mr. Wenders demonstrates his casual mastery....He lovingly lingers over the baked, cracking pavement, blowing kisses to [L.A.'s] flaws..."
New York Times - p.E10 - Elvis Mitchell
"...Wenders and cinematographer Phedeon Papamichael work up some nifty atmosphere, enhanced by a soundtrack from the likes of Bono and Brian Eno..."
Rolling Stone - p.56-7 - Peter Travers
"...A quixotic marvel....[With] emotionally lucid compositions..."
Film Comment - p.75 - Howard Hampton
"...Rapturously beautiful....THE MILLION DOLLAR HOTEL is a fantasy, a fairy tale..."
Los Angeles Times - Kevin Thomas (02/02/2001)
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